Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice
Published on: September 19, 2016
Booster Vaccination Against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and Hepatitis B in Previously Vaccinated Solid Organ
Julie Sejerøe-Olsen1, Moises Alberto Suarez-Zdunek1, Thomas Helbo1
1Viroimmunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background:
Despite pre-transplantation vaccination against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), most solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are without post-transplantation seroprotection against IPD and HBV. We aimed to determine the seroprotection rates and changes in antibody concentrations after booster vaccination against IPD and HBV in SOT recipients without post-transplantation seroprotection after pre-transplantation vaccination. Furthermore, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with non-response to booster vaccination.
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, we included adult SOT recipients without post-transplantation seroprotection against IPD who then received the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) booster, as well as adult SOT recipients without seroprotection against HBV who then received the Engerix-B® booster after pre-transplantation vaccination. Logistic regression models were used to analyze risk factors for non-response to booster vaccination.
Results:
We included 50 SOT recipients in analyses of booster vaccination against IPD and 52 SOT recipients in analyses of booster vaccination against HBV. Seroprotection rates were 52% after booster vaccination against IPD and 7.7% after booster vaccination against HBV. The median geometric mean concentration of pneumococcal antibodies increased from 0.54 µg/mL IgG (interquartile range, IQR: 0.35-0.77) to 1.21 µg/mL IgG (IQR: 0.87-1.62) after booster vaccination (p < 0.001). Having pre-transplantation seroprotection against IPD at time of listing was associated with lower odds of non-response to booster vaccination. We were not able to identify risk factors for non-response to HBV booster vaccination.
Conclusions:
Booster vaccination improved seroprotection against IPD, but not HBV. Further studies are needed to examine optimal vaccination strategies for SOT recipients.
Related Concept Videos
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Vaccinations
Tissue Transplantation
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...

